The Day We Interviewed Our Kids… Uncut

Originally published on Clearasmud.blog on March 18, 2020.

Mar 11, 2025

Today, Chaim and I are celebrating our 14th anniversary! We’re living through crazy times, and since we are cooped up at home, I thought it would be fun to include the whole family in an interactive post.

Chaim and I interviewed our kids (mostly about us), and here’s what they had to say. All answers are unfiltered and unedited.

Enjoy! 😊

Question: Chaya, how do you know that Mommy and Aba love each other very much?

Chaya: Because, like, you always show it, like, when you’re upset or something, and Mommy still loves you—even when she asks you to calm down and you don’t.

Question: What’s the most fun thing about Mommy? What about Aba?

Menny: The funnest thing about Mommy is buying us stuff and supporting us. Aba plays basketball, football, and catch—sometimes.

Shoshana: For Mom, it’s dancing. For Aba, it’s his laugh.

Question: What is something you love that Mommy and Aba do together?

Zeesy: They play with me.

Shoshana: Argue. 😉

Question: Chana Laya, who do you like giving you a buddy (Yiddish for bath)—Aba or Mommy?

Chana Laya: Aba. (Which is ridiculous, as she only lets me bathe her. Go figure!)

Question: Menny, what does love mean to you?

Menny: It means happiness and joy.

Question: What do you wish Mommy and Aba on their 14th wedding anniversary?

Zeesy: They should have a good new year with us.

Chaya: They should be able to express themselves more than ever and recognize how amazing each other are.

Menny: Love, gratefulness, and appreciating.

Shoshana: Health and wealth—and the romance shouldn’t die.

Question: What’s something you wish Mommy and Aba did better?

Chaya: Like, don’t jump to conclusions. One of you may get mad at the other, and it’s just a misunderstanding. Sometimes they’re just trying to help, but you don’t realize it.

Shoshana: For Mom to be easier on herself, and for Aba to be less catastrophizing.

Question: Is there a lesson you learned from Mommy and Aba that you’ll always take with you through life?

Chaya: Always be positive no matter the situation. When there’s a problem, always see the positive—Tracht Gut Vet Zain Gut (think good and it will be good) attitude.

Shoshana: From Mom—how to be empathetic and how to cook gluten-free kugel. From Aba—the beauties of Judaism.

Question: Zeesy, what is something special we do together as a family?

Zeesy: Being together for dinner and saying what we are grateful for.

Question: Kiddos, what’s your favorite thing on Mommy and Aba’s wedding video?

Zeesy: Mommy and Aba—and a lot of people eating.

Chaya: Seeing Bracha, my aunt, as such a little girl—and all the yummy food.

Menny: Seeing the men dancing, singing, and all the different cousins.

Question: Mommy and Aba got married in San Antonio. What do you love most about San Antonio?

Menny: Seeing our cousins.

Chaya: Seeing Bubby and Zaidy and all the family.

Zeesy: Seeing our cousins, Bubby and Zaidy, and our aunts.

Question: What was your best family trip?

Menny: New York!

Chaya: Each trip is unique in different ways. It depends on what you’re talking about—most adventurous, most family time, most interesting… it depends.

Zeesy: The trip we’re on right now.

Question: Shoshana, your oldest sibling is 15, but Mommy and Aba have only been married for 14 years. How’s that possible?

Menny: That’s too hard for me.

Chaya: That’s a dumb question, because Shoshana was adopted at age 12, which means she was born before Mommy and Aba got married. So it all makes sense. Duh. I don’t get why that’s a question.

Question: When Mommy and Aba argue, how does that make you feel?

Chaya: I get mixed feelings. I know it will probably be sorted out, but it also annoys me when you argue when you have so much.

Zeesy: Upset.

Menny: Sad and upset—sometimes even mixed-up feelings and kind of forgetful.

Question: How does Mommy behave in the morning?

Chaya: It depends on the day… grumpy, kinda.

Menny: Sometimes happy, sometimes sad, sometimes mad.

Zeesy: Okay.

Shoshana: Grumpy.

Question: How’s Aba when things don’t go his way?

Menny: Not so good.

Zeesy: Upset.

Chaya: Upset—but when Mommy talks to him, sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t. But when it does, he realizes and changes.

Shoshana: Defiant.

Question: How does it make you feel that Mommy and Aba adopted you?

Chaya: Lucky and then mixed up—but I’m not sure why.

Menny: Good.

Zeesy: Happy.

Shoshana: Grateful.

Question: What’s the best dish that Mommy cooks and the best one Aba makes?

Menny: Aba—stir fry. Mommy—sushi bowls.

Chaya: Mommy—meatballs and spaghetti. Aba—fried schnitzel.

Zeesy: Soup and hot dogs.

Question: When you think of Mommy and Aba, what word comes to mind?

Chaya: Mommy—Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (supportive). Aba—Sushi.

Menny: Mommy—Beautiful. Aba—Fun.

Zeesy: Mommy—Hug and love. Aba—Books.

Shoshana: Mommy—Tulips. Aba—Sushi.

There you have it—straight from the mouths of babes! ✌️

Chavie